Holiday Gift Guide

By ED TRAVIS

Finding just the right gift for a golfer can be a tiresome task so the staff at California Golf + Travel thought a good approach would be to share with our readers a few items we like and would be happy to find under the tree. They cover a range of prices so you will be sure to find something to put a smile on your golfer’s face.

Sureshot Axis GPS Watch

An idea many golfers like is wearing a watch to measure distances using a GPS link and the Axis watch comes preloaded with 38,000 courses plus a builtin scorecard. The stylish Axis has metal buttons and several display options including yardage to the center, front and back of the green and a separate display mode showing the green layout plus of course the time. Priced at $199 it also offers shot distance measuring.

Sureshot PINLOC 6000 Series Rangefinders

There are three models in this series from MGI Golf all with 6x magnification and a magnetic case with improved battery life. The basic 6000iM is $229 with a scan mode and the 6000iPM adds a tactile pulse feature to let the user know when it has locked on the target. The 6000iPM is $259. The 6000iPSM is priced at $299 with all the features of the other two in the series and the addition of on/off slope measurement.

Blue Tees Series 3 Rangefinder

Cutting edge software, top quality construction and a weatherproof hard-shell carrying case make the Blue Tees Series 3 Max Rangefinder a favorite. It adjusts for uphill and downhill shots with an on/off switch to make it tournament legal plus it vibrates when the laser locks on the pin. The unit itself is water resistant with a magnetic strip to keep it handy between shots on your cart and the price is golfer-gift friendly at $259.99.

MGI Zip Navigator Electric Caddy

The Zip Navigator ($1,495) from MGI is a battery powered electric caddy with a remote to control forward or reverse direction and also allows the user to match the unit’s speed to his or her walking pace. Featuring patented gyroscope technology, the Zip Navigator safely hauls clubs up or downhill and over uneven terrain. Designed with a fourth wheel for added stability that folds out of the way when not needed, the Zip Navigator weighs 35 lbs. and it folds to fit in any car trunk.

By ED TRAVIS

Every golfer is thrilled to find new clubs under the tree and here are a few clubs that the staff of California Golf + Travel has selected and that we are sure your linkster will appreciate.

Cleveland Golf Launcher XL Driver

This update of the Launcher line of drivers selling for $400 has a 460cc head with very high resistance to twisting with the best MOI values Cleveland has ever made. The frame has stiff areas and flexible areas to hit the ball farther and retain ball speed. The shaft is counterbalanced with an 8-gram weight and the hosel adjusts loft from 9° to 12° in ½° increments. A 1” shorter shaft “accuracy build” without butt weight is available.

Bettinardi Studio Stock 17 Putter

Always on the short list of premium putters, the models from Bettinardi’s workshop bring together the latest design, engineering, and manufacturing techniques with the SS17 ($450) as a perfect example. This slant neck model is milled from 303 stainless steel with a diamond blast finish and heel toe weighting. It makes use of their Roll Control Face milling, an asymmetrical design for a true roll every time without a face insert.

Cleveland Launcher XL HALO Irons

Players with slower swing speeds can gain distance with lighter clubs so they can swing faster, and Cleveland’s HALO irons do this with a confidence-building head that look like a hybrid. The larger head of the HALOs are very forgiving and easy to hit with the lower lofts having rails on the sole to improve contact with the turf and the short iron soles V-shaped for improved ball striking. A set of seven irons is $900.

KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype Shaft

It has been said the shaft is the engine of a golf club and the Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype shaft from ($199.95) certainly can be described that way. Based on KBS’s popular Tour steel shaft it offers the familiar KBS feel throughout the swing. It encourages aggressive swings with built-in performance for hybrid clubs with added control and consistency. KBS says it offers a smooth transition from hybrids to irons.

The Classic-Walnut Greenwood Putter

The “wow-factor” of The Classic-Walnut from Greenwood is apparent to everyone not just from the looks but also how it feels striking the ball. Made from North American black walnut this beauty lists for $349.99 and will make the user the envy of the foursome. The putter head is weighted to a convenient 340 grams with zero loft and comes with a Grip Master midsize leather grip.

XXIO Prime Driver

Golfers with moderate swing speeds will like the very lightweight (just 254 grams) XXIO Prime driver, $899.99, since lighter means faster. The draw bias cup face has lots of rebound and the construction tends to retain ball speed on miss hits. The interior frame is a star configuration supporting a thin sole and redistributes the club’s weight. XXIO has included brass and rubber weights in the shaft butt-end for added distance.

Tour Edge Golf Pro 721 Fairway Wood

Designed for better players the Pro 721 fairway woods from Tour Edge ($299.99) have a deep face and a “Ridgeback” crown with two carbon panels that saves weight compared with all metal crowns. The face has 61 mini-trampoline shapes on the interior for more distance and forgiveness for off center impacts. Sole weights, one near the heel and one near the toe, help provide the best trajectory for distance and control.

Golf Apparel For Gifting

By ED TRAVIS

Looking good on the course with apparel that is comfortable and designed for performance is a key to enjoying a round of golf. Here are some of the items we like and are sure you and your golfer will too.

Linksoul Wyeth Shirt Jacket

Often in wintertime the weather is cool. Not so cool a jacket is required but a bit cooler than just a sweater and the solution is donning a Wyeth Shirt Jacket ($110) from Linksoul. It’s warm and has some stretch so your swing can be free and easy. Made from a blend of cotton, polyester, and Spandex it is machine washable and available in a choice of six colors.

Salt Sunglasses “Mundo”

Sunglasses are a must on the course, and you’ll like the Mundo model from Salt. This premium optic is distinctively styled with quality construction that includes a strong seven-barrel hinge for stability. Priced at $460 per pair, select from Black with a polarized CR39 black lens, Woodgrain—polarized CR39 G15 lens, Mohave—polarized CR39 brown gradient lens or Matte Asphalt Grey—polarized CR39 grey gradient lens.

Ashworth Original Innovation Interlock Polo

Ashworth has updated their original performance polo shirt featuring the iconic banded sleeve and striped collar. While the original was made from 100% Pima cotton performance blend the new version wears with even more soft comfort and has added 30% micro polyester. This new polo (On sale at $70.40—choice of three colors) has outstanding performance such as a slight stretch and moisture wicking and of course it’s easy care.

Asics Gel-Couse Ace Golf Shoes

Lightweight, comfortable and performance enhanced make the Gel-Course Ace golf shoe ($149.99) a great choice for any golfer. A mesh upper with waterproof lining allows heat to escape while holding the foot firmly in place for even the most vigorous swings. Support and shock absorption are provided by Asics FlyteFoam inner sole. Three colors are available: white, graphite grey and white with pure silver accents.

Linksoul Stretch Cords

On or off the course cords are a staple of any wardrobe and Linksoul Stretch Cords ($130) are a must-have. Made from a blended fabric of 65% cotton, 33% poly Coolmax/ Thermolite and 2% Spandex they are comfortable, warm and retain their shape throughout the round. Take your pick from five colors: Bark, Nutria, Charcoal and Oak. Stretch Cords have a long-lasting quality construction and are washable.

Ashworth Chino Twill Ash Trucker Print Hat

Ashworth has updated the classic trucker cap with the structured front made from a chino twill fabric prominently showing their golf logo and the back is an open mesh to dissipate heat. Proper sizing comes from the snapback closure and the hat band is moisture wicking for added comfort. Available for $38 in Grey with white mesh, Navy/white mesh, Grey/silver mesh or Charcoal/black mesh.

Duca Del Cosma Women’s Bellezza Golf Shoes

Any woman golfer will love the Duca Del Cosma Bellezza white golf shoes for their athletic construction and classic looks. Priced at $229 per pair they are made with an Italian nappa leather outer and offer interchangeable kilties to spice up their color. The waterproof interior sock is recycled microfiber as is the covering of the breathable, comfortable insole. Heel support is provided by recycled cork padding.